Funnyman Bill Cosby will perform in Ames on Oct. 18

Cosby broke television’s racial barrier with “I Spy,”becoming the first African-American to co-star on a television series while winning three consecutive Emmys. Cosby’s current best-seller, “I Didn’t Ask to Be Born, But I’m Glad I Was,” discusses the Bible, being a grandfather and his first love. Cosby has received the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (America’s highest civilian honor), the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor and the Marian Anderson Award.

Artquake at the Firehouse combines art and music

The Des Moines Social Club will host Artquake at the Firehouse on June 27, combining art and music. The courtyard of the firehouse will become an interactive gallery.

Live bands performing will include Tires, Dickweed and Satellite State. Dickweed, an alt-country band, features Bob Nastonavich of Pavement, Patrick Tape Fleming of Poison Control Center, Eric Moffitt of Wolves in the Attic and Mantis Pincers and Trent Derby of Wolves in the Attic and Volvano Boys.

Artists include Van Holmgren doing live painting of a 3-D wood piece, Asphate Woodhavet of Maxilla Blue doing live graffiti, Joe Crimmings and Lucas Moser doing an interactive light painting installation, Mickey Davis of Is Home Is doing an interactive video installation and live body painting by Emily Svec.

Doors open at 6 p.m., with the show running until 10 p.m.

More music news

• 80/35 after-party news: Chris Keating of Yeasayer will play a DJ set July 5 at Wooly’s. Admission is free. Dessa, of the Minneapolis hip-hop group Doomtree, plays the Gas Lamp on July 6. Tickets to that show are $10 with an 80/35 wrist­band or are $12 in advance through www.midwestix.com or $15 at the door.

• Rock Cornstalk will feature performances by Taproot, Smile Empty Soul, Hed PE, Ventana, Viva Montessa and a dozen other bands on July 27 at the Blank Park Zoo field with music 10 a.m.-midnight. Go to www.rockcornstalk.com.